Econexiones

Nick interviews Valeria Cañedo and Lea Ibarra, conservation biologists from Sonora, Mexico and founding members of the Colectivo Sonora Silvestre. In #TUCC's first bi-lingual episode, they discuss: the Colectivo; bats, agave and sustainable bacanora production; the importance of bi-national collaboration on conservation initiatives; and more. For Spanish speakers, jump to 15:20 in the recording (about halfway through). You can learn more about CSS and CENKO here!

Nick interviews Carolyn Campbell, Executive Director of the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection. Murphy's Law interfered with Zoom, then Skype, then Nick's desktop recording setup -- but the two persevered to discuss Tucson's recent declaration of a climate emergency, the Coalition's 2020 Strategic Plan, the proposed Interstate I-11, and why climate resiliency matters. And, in a callback to Episode 002: more about skunks!

Nick interviews Erica Prather, National Outreach Representative with Defenders of Wildlife. With reports surfacing of a mass die-off of birds in the southwestern United States, the two discuss the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the 'eco-spiritual' crisis of the environmental movement as well as Erica's own circuitous path to her work in advocacy.

Nick interviews Sergio Avila, Local Outdoors Program Coordinator with the Sierra Club. They discuss the organization's recent (and public) reckoning with racism in its past, as well as: the decolonization of language; the changing definitions for science, conservation, and outdoor education; the importance of role models; and what a more equitable and inclusive future might look like in environmental work.

Nick interviews Oscar Medina, Executive Committee member with the Grand Canyon Chapter of the Sierra Club. The two overcome audio difficulties early on to discuss the experiences of BIPOCs in the environmental movement; the struggle for clean water and clean air; the intersection of race, history and the environment; as well as Oscar's transformative work with local high school students in Tucson.

Nick interviews Josh Ruddick, founding member and instructor with the Arizona Master Natualist Association, to discuss biodiversity in the Sonoran desert; diversity, equity and inclusion in volunteering; the need for urban restoration projects; plans for AZMNA expansion; and skunks (three different species!)

In #TUCC's very first episode, Nick kicks things off by interviewing Luis A. Perales: CEO of Tucson's own Changemaker High School as well as the person with the vision behind what would become the Tucson Climate Project. Who are we? What are we doing? And how can you get involved?